INDIANAPOLIS — Sommer Barnard PC has merged with the Ohio-based law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

With the merger, Taft grows to 320 attorneys and operates offices in Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Covington, Ky.; Phoenix; Beijing, ; and now Indianapolis .  The Sommer Barnard name will transition to Taft.  Sommer Barnard operates in two locations in Indianapolis , downtown and on the north side.

As part of the merger, Sommer Barnard's managing partner, Robert Hicks, became partner-in-charge of Taft's Indianapolis offices, and Hicks, Frank Deveau and Michael Terrell joined the new firm's 10-member executive committee.

Hicks and Taft's managing partner, Thomas Terp,  said the combined strengths of the two firms give the new firm greater competencies in meeting a variety of business and individual legal needs.  Those services include business and finance, litigation, environmental, real estate, labor and employment, intellectual property, health care, bankruptcy, personal services and tax.

Sommer Barnard had more than 100 attorneys and was founded 40 years ago. Taft had more than 220 attorneys and a 122-year track record of experience.